JHAPA: Usury victims from various districts have staged ‘March for Justice’ from Mechi Bridge at Kakadvitta in Jhapa district today demanding justice.

Participants taking part in the March launched in the initiative of the Usury Victims Peasants Workers Struggle Committee have set out towards Kathmandu on foot with arrangement of food and shelter needed for their journey for justice.

There are altogether 50 loan shark victims from Jhapa, Sunsari, Siraha and Saptari districts who aim to reach Kathmandu within 15 days walking from the bordering area in the eastern part of the country to the federal capital via Chitwan, it was shared.

Half of the participants are women.

Meanwhile, another group of loan shark victims have also kicked off the march for justice from Mahendranagar, bordering area in the western part of the country. Both the groups would meet in Chitwan and together march towards Kathmandu, the participants shared.

Committee’s Central Chairperson Awadesh Kushwaha said that they started their march marking the Martyrs Day, putting forth a six-point demand with the government.

Demands include cancellation of all fake documents related to usury and cancellation of transfer of property rights of the victims to the exploitative lenders, formulation of draconian laws for culprit of financial crime related to usury and formation of high-powered judicial commission.

Likewise, they have also pressed for opening new application for the record-keeping of the usury victims, arresting the exploitative moneylenders, investigating the deeds related to the usury unilaterally verified in the local level and probe into cases of human rights violation against the victims, and providing compensation and subsidized loan without collateral to the victims.

“May the government pay heed to demands of usury victims at the earliest. We will not leave the street until our demands are heard,” he warned.